Discover vibrant and flavorful pasta dishes that transform ordinary weeknight dinners into something exciting. Quick to make and packed with bold ingredients, these recipes will add a fresh twist to your dinner routine.

Easy Pasta Puttanesca

A pan full of spaghetti and tomatoes on a tablecloth.
Easy Pasta Puttanesca. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Pasta Puttanesca is a classic Italian quick sauce that may be the fastest pasta dish you’ll ever make.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Puttanesca

Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce

Creamy zucchini pasta sauce with shaved parmesan.
Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce offers a lighter yet warming dish. The sauce is rich and creamy, with a hint of Parmesan to add depth. Pair it with your favorite pasta for a comforting meal that’s perfect for a chilly night. It’s a tasty and warming option for those looking for a comforting yet lighter dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce

Baked Feta Pasta

Oval dish of baked penne pasta with cheese, diced tomatoes, and herbs on a round wooden board—surrounded by tomatoes and blood oranges—perfect for easy pasta recipes and effortless weeknight dinners.
Baked Feta Pasta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant’s Table.

This recipe is a perfect choice for pasta lovers. With its creamy and savory baked feta cheese, combined with tomatoes and aromatic herbs, it creates a simple yet flavorful dish that is sure to satisfy your pasta cravings.
Get the Recipe: Baked Feta Pasta

30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

Creamy Chicken And Corn Pasta closeup partial of finished dish cropped horizontal.
30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta recipe is so easy to make and so delicious to eat. Bowtie pasta complements the seasoned chicken chunks. Also, it’s topped with bacon. Bacon makes everything better.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Creamy Chicken Corn and Pasta

Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

A close-up of creamy macaroni and cheese garnished with parsley.
Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

This sausage and pepper pasta dish is a hearty, one-dish dinner that allows you to get supper on the table in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage and Pepper Pasta in One Pot

Pizza Casserole (Pizza Pasta Bake)

A plate of baked pasta topped with melted cheese, pepperoni slices, black olives, mushrooms, green peppers, and shredded herbs, with a fork on the side.
Pizza Casserole (Pizza Pasta Bake). Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This pasta bake combines ground beef, pepperoni, mushrooms, and two types of cheese into one cheesy, comforting meal that’s ready in under an hour. It’s a perfect quick dinner for busy nights and lets you customize with your favorite pizza toppings for endless flavor combos. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this recipe turns classic pizza into a fun pasta twist everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Casserole (Pizza Pasta Bake)

Italian Sausage Pasta

A plate of creamy macaroni pasta with herbs and vegetables, garnished with chopped parsley, on a wooden board with spinach leaves nearby.
Italian Sausage Pasta. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This Italian Sausage Pasta comes together in under 30 minutes with just one pot, making dinner easy and cleanup quick. It features spicy Italian sausage, roasted red peppers blended into a creamy sauce, and fresh spinach stirred in for a hearty meal the whole family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Italian Sausage Pasta

Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

A white bowl filled with penne pasta, diced chicken, red bell peppers, and garnished with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Get ready for tender chicken and colorful bell peppers slow-cooked to perfection with a creamy sauce that’s anything but boring. This recipe uses simple pantry staples and lets your slow cooker do the heavy lifting, so you can enjoy a flavorful meal with barely any effort. The hint of garlic and Cajun spice adds just the right amount of kick to keep things interesting without overwhelming your taste buds.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cajun Chicken Pasta

White Wine Chicken Pasta

A pan filled with bowtie pasta mixed with diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and chopped herbs.
White Wine Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This recipe combines tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a light white wine sauce infused with garlic and oregano for a bright, flavorful meal. It’s a quick 35-minute dinner that’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner and fancy enough for a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: White Wine Chicken Pasta

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

A bowl of rotini pasta salad mixed with corn, cotija cheese, red onion, cilantro, and lime wedges, served with wooden utensils.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

If you like the smoky char of grilled corn with a zing of chili-lime crema, this pasta salad will become your new go-to. It mixes tender fusilli with sautéed charred corn, creamy mayo, tangy sour cream, and crumbly cotija cheese for a flavor punch that’s perfect for a filling side dish.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

A wooden spoon lifts a serving of orzo pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and olives from a white bowl.
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Get ready to toss together a fresh and tangy mix of orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and briny olives, all dressed in a zesty red wine vinaigrette with a kick of garlic. This salad is a breeze to make, cools down quickly with a rinse after boiling, and keeps its crunch even as leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

A plate of orzo pasta topped with sliced grilled chicken, garnished with parsley and lemon. Nearby are bell peppers, lemons, and a bowl of grated cheese on a red patterned cloth.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta that is bursting with bright, lemony flavors and perfect for both busy weeknights!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

One Pot French Onion Pasta

A plate of rigatoni pasta with shredded cheese and herbs, next to a fork on a white dish. An onion and parsley are in the background.
One Pot French Onion Pasta. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

This simple, One-Pot French Onion Pasta is the ultimate comfort food for those chilly winter nights. Made with just a handful of ingredients and ready in under an hour, this hearty dish will warm you up from the inside out.
Get the Recipe: One Pot French Onion Pasta

Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta

A bowl of penne pasta with sliced sausage, tomatoes, and grated cheese, garnished with herbs. A fork is placed beside the bowl.
Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta. Photo credit: Mama’s on a Budget.

This Smoked Sausage and Pasta is the perfect weeknight meal. Make with smoked sausage, tender pasta, fresh vegetables all cooked in a creamy sauce. Your family will love it!
Get the Recipe: Easy Smoked Sausage and Pasta

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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